Is Step Aerobics a Good Workout?

A 70Kg person burns approximately 150 calories in 25 minutes of step aerobic activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You may burn more or less, depending on your weight and body composition and level of step intensity. Step aerobics is an intense cardio workout that can help you improve your fitness and your health, as well as manage your weight.

Identification

Step aerobics is a vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, which requires more than six times the effort of sitting quietly. Although strengthening and stretching exercises are important factors in improving your health and preventing injury, aerobic activities, like Freestyle Step, burn more calories than any other form of physical activity.

Significance

It is normally recommended as a physical activity guidelines a minimum of two hours and 30 minutes of moderate activity or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity weekly, . To enjoy additional health benefits associated with activity, such as weight loss or weight maintenance, the recommendation increases to five hours of moderate activity or two hours and 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise. Step aerobics is an effective way to meet physical activity recommendations, improve your fitness and manage your weight.

Concerns

Because step aerobics is a high-impact activity, it may not be appropriate for adults with diminished bone density or heart problems. Many councils and other entities say that step aerobics carries a lower risk for injury than other high-impact exercises, such as running and traditional aerobic dance. Proper shoes that fit well protect your legs, shins, ankles and feet from exercise-related injuries. However for the above to be true, it is recommended to wear cross-training shoes for step aerobics.

Form

The major exercise bodies advise to use a bench height that doesn't require you to bend your knees more than 90 degrees; stand within 1 foot of the bench to prevent injury to your arch and Achilles tendon. You also need to step down toe first and lower your heel completely before taking the next step. Look ahead instead of watching your feet to prevent neck pain, and avoid lunging movements because they put too much stress on your joints.

Considerations

The advise by many exercise bodies is that you warm up your arms and legs before using the step bench. Follow step aerobic exercise with cool down movements to get your heart rate back down. If your joints start to hurt during the activity, stop the exercise. If you have a history of knee problems, a different activity may be more appropriate.


"May the step not move from under your feet"